INVASIVE SPECIES SOLUTIONS 2030 - OVERVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES CAMERON BEGLEY, ROHAN RAINBOW, FAISAL YOUNUS, OCTOBER 2020
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
INVASIVE SPECIES SOLUTIONS 2030
OVERVIEW OF TECHNOLOGY OPPORTUNITIES
CAMERON BEGLEY, ROHAN RAINBOW, FAISAL YOUNUS, OCTOBER 2020
COLLABORATION INNOVATION IMPACT
WWW.INVASIVES.COM.AU
The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution from its members and partners to support its activities. Invasive Animals Limited governs and manages the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. This document was prepared by ABN 41 602 009 316 Cameron Begley, Managing Director cameron.begley@spiegare.com.au http://www.spiegare.com.au/services.html This document should be cited as: Begley, C., Rainbow, R., & Younus F. (2020) Invasive Species Solutions 2030: Overview of technology opportunities. Spiegare Pty Limited. Published by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, Canberra, Australia. www.invasives.com.au ISBN Print 978-1-925727-19-7 ISBN Web 978-1-925727-18-0 This report may be cited for purposes of research, discussion, record keeping, educational use or other public benefit, provided that any such citation acknowledges the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and the authors of the publication. © 2020 Invasive Animals Ltd
CONTENTS
Foreword -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
1 Executive Summary --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
2 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
2.1 Introduction of trends and technology disruption-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
2.1.1 Rise of disruptive technologies as the central megatrend -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
2.2 Opportunities for an innovation-centred transformation of the National Biosecurity System---------------------------------------- 9
2.3 Needs and desired features of the System ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10
2.4 Scope of report ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13
2.5 Structure of report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13
3 Context: Technology disruption, trends and futures --------------------------------------------------------- 14
3.1 Automated / community-producer general surveillance /real-time detection and feedback loops ------------------------------- 14
3.2 Digital sensing and platforms ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
3.3 Genetic detection and platforms ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
3.4 Integration into FUTURE digital farming ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
4 Surveillance technologies and systems -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
4.1 Genetic surveillance systems ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
4.2 Biosensors --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22
4.3 Artificial intelligence and machine learning------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24
4.4 Robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26
4.5 Digital Communications ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27
4.6 Role of communities --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
5 Biocontrol systems ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
5.1 Classical biocontrol ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
5.2 Emerging biotechnologies/synthetic biology ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
6 Integrated landscape management --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33
6.1 Landscape level technology integration and systems ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33
6.2 Digital technologies (internet of things) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33
6.3 New Tools: Nanosatellites -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34
6.4 Optimisation of current best practice technologies --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
6.4.1 Toxins -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
6.4.2 New Tools - Toxins --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
6.4.3 Exclusion and Cluster Fencing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
7 Community engagement ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 39
7.1 Potential of citizen science in general surveillance --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
7.1.1 Enabling technologies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39
7.2 Community-led management----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
7.2.1 Best practice adoption/future of learning/knowledge transfer (e.g. webinars etc) ----------------------------------------------------------------- 41
8 Discussion and conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42
8.1 Implications for vertebrate pests ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
8.2 Implications for weeds ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45
8.3 Implications for environmental invertebrates ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46
8.4 Concluding Remarks --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48
Appendix A Published Data on Global Megatrends ----------------------------------------------------------- 49
Appendix B Case Study -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 56
Appendix C Digital Sensing--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 57
Appendix D Citizen Science -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 59
Appendix E Introduction Pathways of Invasive Species ----------------------------------------------------- 60
REPORT AUTHORS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 61
2
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. The invasion curve. ........................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 2. Value proposition for pre-emptive biosecurity investment and legacy impacts. ................................................................. 10 Figure 3. The role of emerging technologies on biosecurity system. ..................................................................................................... 10 Figure 4. The role of technology and innovation in an advanced biosecurity system. ........................................................................ 12 Figure 5. Key components that underpin informed decision making using digital data. .................................................................... 14 Figure 6. Components of a functioning digital data decision systems that deliver impact. ............................................................... 15 Figure 7. Example Biosecurity Technology Integration Model................................................................................................................. 44 Figure 8. Megatrends impacting Australian rural industries. ................................................................................................................... 49 Figure 9. Global Megatrends as identified by EY. ....................................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 10. Key drivers and potential impacts arising from global megatrends in Food and Agriculture ......................................... 52 Figure 11. SWOT analysis of impact of megatrends on Australian agriculture. .................................................................................... 53 Figure 12. Framing the food security challenge. ........................................................................................................................................ 54 Figure 13. Comparison of spaceborne, manned aerial, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) surveys of wild animals. .............. 57 Figure 14. Detected animal species and employed unmanned aerial systems (UAS) determined via a literature review. ............ 58 Figure 15. Animal species detected using spaceborne imagery.. ........................................................................................................... 58 Figure 16. Citizen Science initiatives. ........................................................................................................................................................... 59 Figure 17. Introduction pathways.. ................................................................................................................................................................ 60
FOREWORD
Australia has a huge biosecurity and invasive species problem that undermines the nation’s 2030
goals to both build a $100 billion agricultural industry and protect our globally important threatened
species and biodiversity. Innovation will be critical to tackling this challenge, and a strategic
technology pathway is needed to transform how our pests and weeds are managed by the end of the
decade. Given the increasing risks and impacts, business as usual is simply not an option.
Fortunately, science is driving technology innovation at an increasingly rapid rate, with genetic and
digital technologies poised to potentially transform our National Biosecurity System – including the
way we manage established invasive species.
This report has been commissioned to provide an overview of these and other technology
opportunities, in order to inform the technology pathway that could be pursued through the Centre’s
proposed Invasive Species Solutions 2030 initiative.
As a member-based organisation, that spans the Australian Government, all States and the ACT,
industry Research and Development Corporations, CSIRO, NRM Regions Australia, universities,
peak industry groups, conservation NGOs and the NZ government, the Centre for Invasive Species
Solutions intrinsically embodies the shared responsibility approach to the National Biosecurity
System.
Working together in large-scale RD&E collaborations through the Centre and its precursor has
already delivered a pipeline of biocontrol agents, new toxins, environmental DNA detection
techniques, and tools that empower and enable communities to better and more efficiently manage
pest threats. The 2020s offer immense promise and potential to take our proven collaborative model
to the next level so that Australia can quickly and fully take advantage of emerging technologies,
especially those whose development is being propelled through health and defence applications.
This report provides a window to a range of these technologies and the solutions able to be delivered
by 2030.
Dr Bruce Christie Andreas Glanznig
Chair CEO
1
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The ongoing increases in economic and environmental losses caused by invasive species underpins
the urgent need to identify and implement effective management practices to successfully prevent,
detect, control and possibly eradicate invasive species.
Locating the presence of an invasive species at a site early in the invasion process usually requires
careful and efficient monitoring. Constraints in successfully identifying invasive species makes the
management process harder in the long run. Furthermore, it often leads to increased management
costs and also makes the eradication of the invasive species almost impossible.
The report herein provides a landscape analysis of biosecurity and invasive species technology
opportunities that could be leveraged as part of an innovation centred transformation of the National
Biosecurity System. While there is a lot of data available in these spaces, it is not collated and related
back to specific opportunities that could impact invasive species management.
The overview is framed around the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) four innovation
platforms and focal invasive species streams: vertebrate pests, weeds, and environmental
invertebrates and diseases. The four innovation platforms are:
1. Surveillance technologies and systems;
- Genetic surveillance technologies;
- Artificial intelligence/machine learning-based surveillance technologies;
2. Biocontrol technologies and systems;
3. Integrated landscape management;
4. Community engagement.
This study has reflected on current research activities in each of these platforms and provided
commentary on their effectiveness and efficiency in reducing impacts of invasive species to
agriculture and the environment. A thematic analysis of further technological advancements to
manage invasive species (excluding agricultural invertebrates and disease) has been undertaken to
enable, inform and support CISS strategy development and the subsequent platform development of
ensuing investments through the identification of specific targets and technical capacity.
Chapter 2 of the report introduces megatrends with a focus on breakthrough technologies and
attempts to understand the opportunities and features required to build an efficient biosecurity system.
Following on, Chapter 3 discusses the outlook of a technology-led innovation focused National
Biosecurity System. It also highlights how the integration of digital sensing and genetic developments
should form the basis of ‘Future Digital Farming’ for better bio-surveillance, rapid detection and
monitoring of pest and weed species, leading to possible eradication and better preparedness. The
subsequent chapters – 4,5,6 and 7, examine the opportunities for the four innovation platforms
identified by CISS and the role in efficient and effective management of invasive species. Many of the
technologies discussed in the review have their origin in military defence and intelligence but we have
been unable to include undisclosed new technologies in this review, it will however be important for
CISS to be constantly vigilant on what emerges from this space. The final Chapter 8 discusses the
findings of the report and how these will impact vertebrate pests, weeds and environmental
invertebrates. This chapter also suggests how technologies could transform arrangements at different
stages of the invasive invasion curve (e.g. pre-border, border, post-border eradication, containment,
and asset protection).
The report highlights four key megatrends: intensification of climate variability, rapid urbanisation
driven by population growth, global interconnectedness, and acceleration of technological
advancements playing an integral role moving forward in effective management of invasive species.
The current toolbox for addressing invasive species is incomplete and inadequate in many cases.
New technologies such as gene editing are emerging, crossover applications are being found for
2
existing technologies such as drones, nanosensors and nanosatellites, and multi- disciplinary
approaches are proving highly potent for particularly complex and large-scale problems.
As suggested in the report, an innovative biosecurity system should be seeking to invest in the
development and demonstration of products that meaningfully and simultaneously impact economic,
environmental and social outcomes. Biosecurity risks, threats and hazards should be managed
through a data-driven surveillance analysis and a response cycle that is dynamic in nature. Delivering
long-term confidence to all the stakeholders, both in production systems and environmental
management using a transparent data, scientific evidence-based approach, is a critical legacy of a
successful biosecurity system.
While CISS is looking at solutions at species and regional levels, there is a growing need to establish
early warning systems for emerging pests leveraging the technological advancements and also
encourage better community surveillance. Stronger focus needs to be placed on the development of
products that will address local challenges and (coincidentally) have global impact. Innovation and
investment in managing invasive species threats have been historically impeded by unclear value
propositions for the proposed research and product solutions – a trend that needs to be addressed
moving forward.
The report further highlights three main areas for improvement, as follows:
• Greatly increasing the involvement and cooperation of individuals and groups from industry,
the community and government in detecting and reporting pests.
• Identifying high risk pathways and locations for pest introduction and establishment.
• Introducing innovative, value creating technological improvements to assist in pest reporting
and identification.
Australian invasive species management led by CISS needs to continue to play a necessary role in
catalysing the discovery and delivery of world-leading, humane, cost-efficient, and ecologically sound
controls for invasive animals. Failure to achieve this would further expose Australia’s agricultural and
natural resource managers to the risk of having inadequate technologies to protect national
biodiversity assets and secure long-term food security.
3
2 INTRODUCTION
Australia is continuingly facing growing pressure from terrestrial and aquatic pests, weeds and
diseases that is posing a serious threat to the country's biodiversity, ecosystem sustainability and
economy. 1 The combined cost of managing, controlling invasive species and the resulting economic
0F0F
impact is estimated to be more than $13.6 billion dollars a year and is escalating everyday with new
threats emerging. 2, 3 Rabbits, goats and camels prevent native desert plant community regeneration;
1F1F 2F2F
rabbits alone impacting over 320 threatened species. 4 The impact of weeds on agricultural production
3F3F
and the environment, along with public and private infrastructure, is estimated to impose an overall
average cost of nearly $5 billion annually across Australia. Yield loss from weed competition,
combined with the cost of weed control is estimated on average at $82.7 million in sugarcane and
$195.8 million in cotton 5, and $3.3 billion in grains each year, while Annual ryegrass on its own costs
4F4F
cereal farmers $93 million a year. 6 Aquaculture diseases have affected oysters and cost the prawn
5F5F
industry $43 million. 7 6F6F
The pressures driving invasive species spread are unlikely to lessen in the coming decades.
Environmental, social, technological and economic megatrends are likely to negatively impact
Australia’s biosecurity standing, and in turn efforts to maintain that standing will require ever more
sophisticated tools. It has become apparent through the observed convergence of biological,
environmental and digital sciences in agricultural practices that a similar opportunity is presented to
address invasive species in broader terms. The trans-disciplinary nature of the development and
subsequent implementation of a range of solutions will require a more systematic and coordinated
approach in the future, so as to drive rigorous development processes and community engagement.
Australian research and development stand well placed as a leading actor in the development of
invasive species solutions, with a well-developed, interdisciplinary science and engineering network
and a nation that values biosecurity outcomes for its agriculture and environmental services sectors.
This report reviews the latest technological disruption that has the potential to better manage invasive
species in Australia and globally.
Notwithstanding that Australia’s stringent biosecurity measures have dramatically slowed the number
of new invasive species arriving, those already here have continued to spread and their cumulative
effect is growing. Recent research highlights that 1,257 or 82% of Australia’s threatened species are
directly affected by 207 invasive plants, 57 animals and three pathogens. 8 The recent 2014 extinction
7F7F
of the Christmas Island forest skink due to invasive species highlights that they remain a major threat
to Australian wildlife. 9 8F8F
1 CSIRO, Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Preparing for future biological challenges, CSIRO, 2014,
https://www.csiro.au/~/media/Do-Business/Files/Futures/Australias-Biosecurity-Future-executive-
summary.pdf?la=en&hash=D854B0A6F740EEB0AFBEE94194450A2CC37413F0 (accessed 14/08/2020).
2 Australian Academy of Science, ‘Australia’s silent invaders’, Australian Academy of Science [website], 2020,
https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/invasive-species#:~:text=The%20combined
%20cost%20of%20invasive,biggest%20environmental%20problems%20facing%20Australia (accessed 14/08/2020).
3 Hoffmann, B. & Broadhurst, L., ‘The economic cost of managing invasive species in Australia’, NeoBiota, vol. 31, 2016, pp. 1-
18. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.31.6960
4 Kearney, S. G. et al., ‘The threats to Australia’s imperilled species and implications for a national conservation response’,
Pacific Conservation Biology, vol. 25, 2018, pp. 231-244. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18024_CO
5 McLeod, R., Annual Costs of Weeds in Australia, eSYS Development Pty Limited, Published by the Centre for Invasive
Species Solutions, Canberra, Australia, 2018, https://invasives.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Cost-of-weeds-
report.pdf (accessed 01/10/2020).
6 Llewellyn, R.S. et al., Impact of Weeds on Australian Grain Production: the cost of weeds to Australian grain growers and the
adoption of weed management and tillage practices, Report for GRDC, CSIRO, Australia, 2016,
https://grdc.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/75843/grdc_weeds_review_r8.pdf.pdf (accessed 01/10/2020).
7 Inspector-General of Biosecurity, Uncooked prawn imports: Effectiveness of biosecurity controls, Review Report No. 2017–
18/01, 2017, https://www.igb.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/final-uncooked-prawn-imports_0.pdf (accessed
01/10/2020).
8 Kearney, S. G. et al., ‘The threats to Australia’s imperilled species and implications for a national conservation response’,
Pacific Conservation Biology, vol. 25, 2018, pp. 231-244. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18024_CO
9 Andrew, P. et al., ‘Somewhat saved : a captive breeding programme for two endemic Christmas Island lizard species, now
extinct in the wild’, Oryx : the journal of the Fauna Preservation Society, vol. 52, no. 1, 2018,
pp. 171-174. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605316001071
4
Management of invasive species is usually divided into four categories across an invasion curve
(Figure 1).The most cost-effective way to reduce impacts of invasive species is to prevent them from
establishing in the first place. Complete removal of an invasive species may be possible if we detect it
soon after its introduction and immediately take steps to eradicate it. ‘Early detection and rapid
response’ (EDRR) can be effective, yet it is more costly than prevention. Complete eradication
becomes increasingly unlikely as populations grow and intense efforts are necessary to contain the
core population of a species and eradicate it from new areas. Long-term management aims to reduce
populations to the lowest feasible levels and to protect specific highly valued resources. 10, 11 9F9F 10F10F
Source: Adapted from Invasive Plants and Animals Policy Framework,
State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, 2010.
Rapid agricultural expansion and intensification, population shift from rural to urban areas, changing
Figure 1. The invasion curve.
consumer sentiment and expectations, globalisation of trade and travel, increased biodiversity
pressures, and declining natural resources, are leading to a future where current processes and
practices relating to efficient management of invasive species and effective maintenance of
biosecurity are not adequate. Hence, continuing improvement of existing pest management practices
and novel approaches are inherently required to address public concerns about animal welfare,
adherence to stringent trade requirements, and successfully respond to a growing threat of incurring
resistance to existing pesticides as well as, possibly, biological control agents. Focus needs to be
shifted on developing effective surveillance and pest monitoring techniques to increase the chances
of early interception of invasive species or to confirm their eradication.
2.1 INTRODUCTION OF TRENDS AND TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION
Megatrends are major shifts in environmental, social and economic conditions occurring at the
intersection of many trends. 12 Megatrends have the potential to irreversibly change the way we live
11F11F
and challenge the models we use to organise our societies. 13 A range of authors and organisations
12F12F
10 Schmiedel, D. et al., ‘Evaluation system for management measures of invasive alien species’, Biodivers. Conserv., vol. 25,
2016, pp. 357–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-016-1054-5
11 Tobin, P. C., ‘Managing invasive species’, F1000Research, 7, F1000 Faculty Rev-1686, 2018,
https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.15414.1
12. Hajkowicz, S., Global Megatrends: Seven Patterns of Change Shaping Our Future, Australia, CSIRO Publishing, 2015.
13 Hajkowicz, S. & Eady, S., Rural Industry Futures: Megatrends impacting Australian agriculture over the coming twenty years,
Canberra, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), 2015.
5around the world have undertaken studies to identify megatrends (Appendix A). 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 While
13F13F 14F14F 15F15F 16F16F 17F17F 18F18F
the names and classifications of megatrends can differ, common themes have emerged across the
literature, each with the potential to significantly influence Australia’s management of invasive
species. These themes include the growing population; increasing urbanisation; demographic societal
and geographic climate change impacts; rapid acceleration of technology development; globalised
trade yet increasing geo-political trading complexity; increasing trade regulations; increasing
consumer demand for eco-friendly products; and highly stressed natural resource systems.
Highlighted below are implications from four key megatrends that are likely to escalate pressure on
invasive species management, with the potential to bring about significant change and complexity for
Australia’s biosecurity future:
I. Climate change intensifies
• Rising temperatures, reduced rainfall and increased frequency of extreme weather events
will (among other things) contribute to a loss of biodiversity, lead to reduced water
resources and increase instances of soil erosion consequently increasing the vulnerability
of our natural ecosystem to pests and diseases.
• Mass disruption of natural habitats and changing climatic conditions will cause significant
changes in disease vector and feral animal distribution and proximity to farmed animals,
thereby increasing biosecurity risks to animal and aquaculture health.
• Changes in climatic conditions will increase the risk of incursion, the subsequent
establishment of new disease vectors and the re-distribution of feral animal intermediate
hosts, increasing the pressure on our biosecurity system, in particular national border
control and surveillance.
II. Rapid population growth accelerating urbanisation
• Through growing food demand and urban encroachment, land use will become more
competitive, placing greater pressure on the natural environment.
• The ongoing expansion of our cities will continue to change interactions between humans,
flora and fauna, agriculture and disease vectors, thus escalating the risks of zoonotic
disease.
• The loss of agricultural diversity due to rapid urbanisation can create food security risks in
the event of a pest or disease outbreak.
• Changing consumer expectations will require new and adaptive biosecurity management
capabilities.
III. Global interconnectedness and trade dependency
• With rising trade movement and continued growth in international visitors, Australia will
continue to face significant risk of incursion of pests and infectious diseases.
14 EYGM Ltd, Megatrends 2015: Making sense of a world in motion, 2015, https://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/ey-
megatrends-report-2015/$FILE/ey-megatrends-report-2015.pdf (accessed 18/05/2020).
15 CSIRO Futures, Food and Agribusiness Roadmap: Unlocking value-adding growth opportunities for Australia, Australia,
CSIRO, 2017, https://www.csiro.au/en/Do-business/Futures/Reports/Food-and-Agribusiness-Roadmap (accessed
20/05/2020).
16 National Farmers’ Federation (NFF),’2030 Roadmap: Australian agriculture’s plan for a $100 billion Industry’, NFF, [website],
17 October 2018, https://www.nff.org.au/read/6187/nff-releases-2030-roadmap-guide-industry.html (accessed 20/05/2020).
17 Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) UK, ‘Shift in global economic power’, PWC UK, [website], 2019,
https://www.pwc.co.uk/issues/megatrends/shift-in-global-economic-power.html (accessed 20/05/2020).
18 Butler, J. et al., Megatrends: Agriculture and Food, Report prepared by the Australia-Indonesia Centre, Monash University,
2015, CSIRO, Australia.
19 Animal Health Australia (AHA), Megatrends, opportunities and challenges facing Australian livestock industries, Prepared by
Spiegare Pty Ltd for AHA, 2019, https://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/our-publications/industry-
publications/megatrends-report/ (accessed 20/05/2020).
6• Greater domestic freight movements will also enable pests and diseases to spread within
Australia unless proper surveillance system is implemented.
• Online retailing will increase the risk of introduction of pests and diseases.
• International trade awareness is becoming more complex and non-tariff trade measures
and political and trade positioning in some markets is becoming more complex.
IV. Rise of disruptive technologies
• Big data and remote sensing technologies will continue to increase resource efficiency.
Improved use of GPS technology and IoT technologies could enable faster detection and
improved responses to environmental issues and adverse events.
• Industrial progression and improvement across surveillance and monitoring technologies;
big data and analytics; genetics and synthetic biology; and smarter devices supported by
improvements in Internet of Things (IOT), will take a lead in addressing future invasive
species management challenges.
• New communication tools, as well as social media platforms, will help to enhance
information flow and better engage the wider community including citizen scientists, to play
a critical role in biosecurity management.
2.1.1 Rise of disruptive technologies as the central megatrend
Rapid acceleration of technology is the central megatrend that will continue to be an integral part of
managing livestock and crops, and native species and conserving biodiversity in many countries
across the world. The current toolbox for addressing invasive species is incomplete and inadequate in
many cases. New technologies such as gene editing are emerging, crossover applications are being
found for existing technologies such as drones, nanosensors and nanosatellites, and multi-
disciplinary approaches are proving highly potent for particularly complex and large-scale problems. 20 19F19F
High spatial and spectral resolution sensors, particularly airborne imaging spectroscopy, have
demonstrated promise to map plant species based on their particular distinctive spectral features in
the visible to shortwave infrared spectrum, and even with thermal infrared spectrometers either on
single images or through seasonal and inter-annual changes. 21, 22 Other technologies like LiDAR
20F20F 21F21F
(Light Detection and Ranging) show promise for differentiating species based on 3D crown structure
and spatial characteristics. 23, 24 Synergistic use of these technologies has promise for improved
22F22F 23F23F
surveillance of invasive plant species and their impacts on the ecosystems they invade. Several
imaging spectrometer satellites that represent the most advanced technology, have promise for
invasive species mapping and are currently under development or planned for later in this decade,
e.g. the EnMAP, PRISMA, HISUI, and others. 25 NASA’s proposed HyspIRI imaging spectrometer and
24F24F
multiband thermal imager shows promise to measure and monitor global changes in invasive species
at relatively high spatial (30m) and temporal (16-day repeat) scales. 26 Satellites such as Landsat 8
25F25F
and European Sentinel 2a and 2b provide advanced multispectral imagers with frequent global
coverage and weekly repeat cycles, and also contribute to the suite of new instrument capabilities for
20 Martinez, B. et al., ‘Technology innovation: advancing capacities for the early detection of and rapid response to invasive
species’, Biol. Invasions, vol. 22, 2020, pp. 75-100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-019-02146-y
21 Laybros, A. et al., ‘Across Date Species Detection Using Airborne Imaging Spectroscopy’, Remote Sensing, vol. 11, no. 7,
2019, p. 789. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11070789
22 Kagan, P. et al., ‘Multispectral Approach for Identifying Invasive Plant Species Based on Flowering Phenology
Characteristics’, Remote Sensing, vol. 11, 2019. https://dio.org/ 10.3390/rs11080953.
23 Hastings, J. et al., ‘Tree Species Traits Determine the Success of LiDAR-Based Crown Mapping in a Mixed Temperate
Forest’, Remote Sensing, vol. 12, 2020, p. 309. https://dio.org/10.3390/rs12020309.
24 CISION PRNewswire, ‘AGERpoint™ Announces Development of Cost Effective Mobile LiDAR Sensor, CISION PRNewswire
[website], 3 April 2017, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agerpoint-announces-development-of-cost-effective-
mobile-lidar-sensor-300433066.html (accessed 20/08/2020).
25 Transon, J. et al., ‘Survey of Hyperspectral Earth Observation Applications from Space in the Sentinel-2 Context’, Remote
Sens., vol. 10, no. 2, 2018, p.157. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10020157
26 Transon, J. et al. 2018.
7monitoring plant invasions. 27 Commercial satellites are delivering increased resolution from Planet
26F26F
will increase resolution from 5 m to 3 m (with the next generation real-time 3 m satellite data), to 50
cm with 15 SkySat imagery satellites with options of 4-band, 5-band and 8-band imagery that has
tasking capability. 28 27F27F
The advent of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or ‘drone’ technology has created the promise of a
revolution in data collection methods for biodiversity conservation that could address many of the
constraints imposed by on-the-ground fieldwork. Wildlife biologists are attempting to adopt this new
technology to address a wide range of questions and problems in native species management. 29, 30 28F28F 29F29F
Machine learning approaches have also been applied to ecological problems and have been widely
adopted to identify the complex structure of datasets, and to train risk prediction models in ecology. 31 30F30F
Bayesian belief networks and decision trees have been used to classify invaders by the level of
invasiveness (for alien macro-invertebrates and plants in North America, respectively). 32 Artificial 31F31F
neural networks have been applied to monitor and predict the density of invasive species and have
been also efficiently used as a tool to suggest eradication strategies. 33, 34, 35 32F32F 33F33F 34F34F
UAVs, popularly called drones, have their heritage within military defence, and until recently their
development was predominantly driven by defence applications, but the adaptabilities of UAVs are
now allowing these to be increasingly used for biosecurity purposes. 36 Historical examples include 35F35F
US military developed GPS technology, but future examples potentially include nano drone swarms
that could further transform biosecurity surveillance. 37, 38, 39 36F36F 37F37F 38F38F
The rapid pace of technology advancement in the field of genetics is giving rise to approaches for the
eradication and control of invasive species. Work is already underway to investigate advanced
biotechnology applications for public health, pest management and biodiversity conservation, all of
which show a range of possibilities for addressing invasive species. 40, 41 Cas9 has been used to
39F39F 40F40F
create gene drives in which acquisition of a trait and the Cas9 machinery are coupled to ensure rapid
trait propagation through a population. Specifically, gene drives have been used in Anopheles
gambiae, the mosquito vector for malaria, to drive a recessive female sterility genotype with
transmission to progeny rates exceeding 90%; this has the potential to suppress the spread of malaria
27 Transon, J. et al. 2018.
28 Planet, ‘The entire earth, every day’, Planet [website], 2020, https://www.planet.com/products/planet-imagery/ (accessed
20/08/2020).
29 Rominger, K. & Meyer, S.E., ‘Application of UAV-Based Methodology for Census of an Endangered Plant Species in a
Fragile Habitat’, Remote Sens., vol. 11, no. 6, 2019, p. 719. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11060719
30 Alvarez-Taboada, F., Paredes, C. & Julián-Pelaz, J., ‘Mapping of the Invasive Species Hakea sericea Using Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and WorldView-2 Imagery and an Object-Oriented Approach’, Remote Sens., , vol. 9, no. 9, 2017, p.
913. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9090913
31 Erdoğan, Z. & Namli, E., ‘A living environment prediction model using ensemble machine learning techniques based on
quality of life index’, J. Ambient Intell. Human Comput., 2019.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12652-019-01432-w
32 Boets, P. et al., ‘Evaluation and comparison of data-driven and knowledge-supported Bayesian Belief Networks to assess the
habitat suitability for alien macroinvertebrates’, Environmental Modelling and Software, vol. 74, 2015,
pp. 92-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.09.005.
33 Xiao, Y., Greiner, R. & Lewis, M.A.,’ Evaluation of machine learning methods for predicting eradication of aquatic invasive
species’, Biol. Invasions, vol. 20, 2018, pp. 2485–2503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-018-1715-2
34 Tabak, M. A et al., ‘Machine learning to classify animal species in camera trap images: Applications in ecology’, Methods
Ecol. Evol., vol. 10, no. 4, 2019, pp. 585-590. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13120
35 Sandino, J. et al., ‘UAVs and Machine Learning Revolutionising Invasive Grass and Vegetation Surveys in Remote Arid
Lands’, Sensors, vol. 18, no. 2, 2018, p. 605. https://doi.org/10.3390/s18020605
36 Peters, J., ‘Watch DARPA test out a swarm of drones’, The Verge [website], 9 August 2019,
https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/9/20799148/darpa-drones-robots-swarm-military-test (accessed 2/10/2020).
37 Kallenborn, Z., The era of the drone swarm is coming, and we need to be ready for it, Modern War Institute [website], 25
October 2018, https://mwi.usma.edu/era-drone-swarm-coming-need-ready/ (accessed 2/10/2020).
38 Schilling, F. et al., Learning Vision-based Cohesive Flight in Drone Swarms, arXiv:1809.00543, 2018, Cornell University.
https://arxiv.org/abs/1809.00543 (accessed 2/10/2020).
39 Tahir, A. et al., ‘Swarms of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Survey’, Journal of Industrial Information Integration,
vol. 16, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jii.2019.100106.
40 Harvey-Samuel, T., Ant, T. & Alphey, L., ‘Towards the genetic control of invasive species’, Biol. Invasions, vol. 19, 2017, pp.
1683-1703. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1384-6
41 Piaggio, A.J. et al., ‘Is it time for synthetic biodiversity conservation?’, Trends Ecol. Evol,. vol. 32, no. 2, 2017, pp. 97-107.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2016.10.016
8in humans. Likewise, anti-Plasmodium falciparum CRISPR systems have been implemented in the
Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. 42, 43 41F41F 42F42F
Notwithstanding the potential of CRISPR-based gene drives for controlling the spread of disease
vectors, as with any nascent technology successful implementation on a broad scale will require both
scientific advancement (notably biological containment and drive efficiency), as well as regulatory
approval and public acceptance. 44 RNA interference technologies have also been widely
43F43F
implemented to improve targeted pest and invasive species control and to replace certain use
patterns of conventional and organic chemistries used for broad-spectrum pest control. RNAi has
been successfully demonstrated to act as a stable biopesticide by using prey species as vectors for
transmission. 45 It should be noted that vertebrates such as rodents may also digest RNA
44F44F
nanoparticles, which may possibly serve as a delivery vehicle. 46 Managing landscape-scale
45F45F
environmental problems, such as biological invasions, can be facilitated by integrating realistic
geospatial models with user-friendly interfaces that stakeholders can use to make critical
management decisions. 47 Another key area where technological advancement can improve planetary
4 6F46F
life is strong community engagement. Technologies bridge the gap not only between amateurs and
professionals, but also often overlooked communities, including indigenous peoples, rural
communities and tourists, and enables everyone to play an important role in conservation. 48 47F47F
2.2 OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN INNOVATION-CENTRED TRANSFORMATION OF THE
NATIONAL BIOSECURITY SYSTEM
Demonstrating ex ante benefits from biosecurity investment is often difficult as investment is based on
perceptions and assessments of risk and impact, commonly with limited future regard to incursion
detection response and research response timeframes. For example, the Risk-Return Resource
Allocation (RRRA) project by the Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA)
provides a framework for the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to
make resource allocation decisions that account for biosecurity risk (See also Appendix B). 49, 50 48F48F 49F49F
An innovation-centred transformation of the national biosecurity system is required that in the longer
term shifts finite skills and resources from tactical response to strategic investment.
The legacy impact of thoughtful and prudent strategic investment is that the potential economic or
public amenity losses are reduced and timeframes for rectification and long-term production or
amenity impacts are reduced (Figure 2). Technologies that deliver increased speed and specificity of
detection at reduced cost and reduce the time for adoption of functional and cost effective response
measures will deliver long-term legacy impacts, and economic and positive public response through
environmental amenity.
42 Barrangou, R. & Doudna, J., ‘Applications of CRISPR technologies in research and beyond’, Nat. Biotechnol.,
vol. 34, no. 9, 2016, pp. 933–941. https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3659
43 Moro, D. et al., ‘Identifying knowledge gaps for gene drive research to control invasive animal species: the next CRISPR
step’, Global Ecol. Conserv., vol. 13, 2018, e00363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2017.e00363
44 Martinez, B. et al., Advancing federal capacities for the early detection of and rapid response to invasive species through
technology innovation, National Invasive Species Council Secretariat, Washington, D.C, 2018.
45 Lim, Z. X. et al, ‘Diet-delivered RNAi in Helicoverpa armigera: progresses and challenges’, Journal of Insect Physiology, vol.
85, 2016, pp. 86-93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2015.11.005
46 Campbell, K. J. et al., ‘The next generation of rodent eradications: innovative technologies and tools to improve species
specificity and increase their feasibility on islands’, Biol. Conserv., vol. 185, 2015, pp. 47-58.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.10.016
47 Tonini, F. et al., ‘Tangible geospatial modeling for collaborative solutions to invasive species management’, Environmental
Modelling & Software, vol. 92, 2017, pp. 176-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.02.020.
48 Palmer, C. P., ‘Can technology save life on Earth?’, World Economic Forum [website], 10 September 2018,
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/09/can-technology-save-life-on-earth/ (accessed 15/08/2020).
49 Mascaro, S., Making Robust Decisions with a Model Subject to Severe Uncertainty, Developed for the Department of
Agriculture in conjunction with CEBRA, ‘Handling uncertainty in the Risk-Return Resource Allocation (RRRA) model, Project
ID:1304B’, https://cebra.unimelb.edu.au/research/benefit-cost/risk-return-resource-allocation (accessed 02/10/2020).
50 Kompas, T., Chu, L., Van Ha, P. & Spring, D., ‘Budgeting and portfolio allocation for biosecurity measures’, Aust. J. Agric.
Resour. Econ., vol. 63, 2019, pp. 412-438. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8489.12305
9Value proposition for pre-emptive biosecurity investment & legacy impacts
Intermediate $ Permanent $ Economic
Economic / &/or loss of loss of
Amenity loss public amenity
$ Economic
& Amenity
Loss
Solutions
development
Initial phase Response New production/environment
incursion/ & Adoption impact phase
mutation phase
phase
Time
Biosecurity investment in Biosecurity investment Biosecurity Biosecurity legacy will drive
surveillance and diagnostics reduces research practice change/ practice change, future
reduces detection response response time management capacity & investment
time gives impact
© Crop Protection Australia 2020
Figure 2. Value proposition for pre-emptive biosecurity investment and legacy impacts.
Source: Rainbow, R., Crop Protection Australia, 2020.
2.3 NEEDS AND DESIRED FEATURES OF THE SYSTEM
An innovative biosecurity system should be seeking to invest in the development and demonstration
of products that meaningfully impact economic, environmental and social outcomes. Biosecurity risks,
Figure 3. The role of emerging technologies on biosecurity system.
10threats and hazards should be managed in a data-driven surveillance analysis and action cycle as suggested below (Figure 3). 51 50F50F Recent advances in biomaterials and engineering research, together with big data computing and digital technologies, are being integrated for enhanced data collection and analysis that will play a transformational role in invasive species management. These systems can provide a step-change for biosecurity by being designed to monitor animal and habitat health and amongst other things, automatically collect diagnostic data, provide real-time data analysis, enable rapid dissemination of intelligence, and inform timely decision-making around biosecurity response actions. With regard to biosecurity, the systems in the past, current and potentially in the future, highlight the value from the convergence of advanced technologies (goods/knowledge) and skills (services) which should combine in unique ways to address biosecurity challenges. The schematic developed below is in good accordance with the recently published report on the role of emerging technologies on Australian biosecurity system (Figure 4). 52 51F51F 51 Animal Health Australia (AHA), Megatrends, opportunities and challenges facing Australian livestock industries, Prepared by Spiegare Pty Ltd for AHA, 2019, https://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/our-publications/industry- publications/megatrends-report/ (accessed 20/05/2020). 52 Animal Health Australia (AHA), Megatrends, opportunities and challenges facing Australian livestock industries, 2019. 11
© Crop Protection Australia 2020
Figure 4. The role of technology and innovation in an advanced biosecurity system.
Source: Rainbow, R., Crop Protection Australia, 2020.
12Supporting the delivery of products to meet biosecurity challenges should stand a vibrant innovation
ecosystem. The role that CISS and its partners play in that ecosystem and the means through which
they coordinate and resource their efforts should also bear further consideration, as a constrained or
suboptimal innovation ecosystem will inherently constrain the pathway to effective solutions.
2.4 SCOPE OF REPORT
CISS sought a landscape analysis which overviews biosecurity technology opportunities that could be
leveraged as part of an innovation-centred transformation of the National Biosecurity System,
particularly as they relate to the Centre’s five innovation platforms and three invasive species
streams. While there is a lot of data available in these spaces, it is not collated and related back to
specific opportunities that could impact invasive species management.
CISS has framed its strategic RD&E direction around four innovation platforms which are:
1. Surveillance technologies and systems;
- Genetic surveillance technologies;
- Artificial intelligence/machine learning-based surveillance technologies;
2. Biocontrol technologies and systems;
3. Integrated landscape management;
4. Community engagement.
This study will reflect on current research activity in each of these platforms and provide commentary
on their effectiveness and efficiency in reducing impacts of invasive species to agriculture and the
environment. A thematic analysis of further technological advancements to manage invasive species
(excluding agricultural invertebrates and disease) will be undertaken to inform and support CISS
strategy development and the subsequent platform development of ensuing investments through the
identification of specific targets and technical capacity.
2.5 STRUCTURE OF REPORT
Chapter 2 of the report introduces megatrends with a focus on breakthrough technologies and
attempts to understand the opportunities and features required to build an efficient biosecurity system.
Following on, Chapter 3 discusses the outlook of a technology led innovation-focused National
Biosecurity System. It also highlights how the integration of digital sensing and genetic developments
should form the basis of ‘Future Digital Farming’ for better bio-surveillance, rapid detection and
monitoring of pest and weed species, leading to possible eradication and better preparedness.
The subsequent chapters – 4,5,6 and 7, examine the opportunities for the four innovation platforms
identified by CISS and its role in efficient and effective management of invasive species. The final
Chapter 8 discusses the findings of the report and how it will impact vertebrate pests, weeds and
environmental invertebrates. This chapter also suggests how technologies could transform
arrangements at different stages of the invasive invasion curve (e.g. pre-border, border, post-border
eradication, containment, and asset protection).
133 CONTEXT: TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION, TRENDS AND FUTURES
3.1 AUTOMATED / COMMUNITY-PRODUCER GENERAL SURVEILLANCE /REAL-
TIME DETECTION AND FEEDBACK LOOPS
For any organisation to successfully implement digital data technologies into their business,
it is essential that this is delivered in a way that builds trust; trust both in terms of confidence in the
findings and recommendations from the use of digital data tools, and also confidence that ownership,
access and transfer rights are maintained by the individual producer.
Delivering long-term confidence to all the stakeholders, both in production systems and environmental
management using a transparent data, scientific evidence-based approach, is a critical legacy of a
successful biosecurity system. There needs to be a transparent production industry policy, supported
through education and understanding of the community to build that trust. As evidence grows that
informed data-based decision-making and practice change results in increased profitability or
environmental amenity, the trust in the data and mechanisms will increase (Figure 5).
Increased
evidence-based
Using data to
decision-making
make informed
& data
decisions
investment
Building industry &
community trust in the
management of data
Development of policy and
frameworks for the use of © Crop Protection Australia 2020
digital data & decision
technologies
Figure 5. Key components that underpin informed decision making using digital data.
Source: Rainbow, R., Crop Protection Australia, 2020.
14There are many components of a functioning digital data decision system that all need to work
together to deliver biosecurity-supporting productivity and environmental sustainability outcomes
(Figure 6).
© Crop Protection Australia 2017
Figure 6. Components of a functioning digital data decision systems that deliver impact.
Source: Rainbow, R., Crop Protection Australia, 2017.
The challenge is building all these components concurrently as a functional system. It is essential that
common standards and cross-compatibility is established to enable a modular but functional
interaction between the components within a sector or amongst adjacent sectors (such as
environment and agriculture).
Digital sensor and data collection systems offer a robust and objective solution to conduct biosecurity
surveillance. Sentinel surveillance systems such as iMapPests 53 is an example of innovative
52F52F
technology undergoing development that can significantly improve on-farm pest management through
rapid and precise monitoring and reporting of airborne pests and diseases. Using animal heat
signatures and size, it is technically possible to monitor production 54, native 55 and pest animals 56,
53F53F 54F54F 55F55F
using aerial imagery UAVs or even satellite technology in real time; this however comes at a
significant cost. The challenge of these systems is demonstrating value and trust in their use.
53 iMapPESTS, ‘iMapPESTS: Sentinel Surveillance for Agriculture’, iMapPESTS [website], n.d., https://www.imappests.com.au/
(accessed 20/08/2020).
54 CSIRO, ‘Ceres Tag: smart ear tags for livestock’, CSIRO [website], 12 June 2020,
https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/AF/Areas/Livestock/Ceres-Tag (accessed 20/08/2020).
55 Perras, M. & Nebel, S., ‘Satellite Telemetry and its Impact on the Study of Animal Migration’, The Nature Education
Knowledge Project [website], 2012, https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/satellite-telemetry-and-its-impact-on-
the-94842487/ (accessed 20/08/2020).
56 Colquhoun, L., ‘Space the Next Frontier (for Tracking Feral Buffalos’, CDO Trends [website], 8 June 2020,
https://www.cdotrends.com/story/14876/space-next-frontier-tracking-feral-buffalos (accessed 20/08/2020).
15You can also read
